The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust is looking for volunteers at North Fort.
North Fort is an historic WW2 heavy coastal artillery battery of two 9.2 inch gun emplacements with supporting tunnels and fortifications. The site also includes the impressive Defence of Sydney Memorial and Walkway. The guns however, were scrapped in 1960.
The fort forms part of the North Head Sanctuary under the control of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and work is currently underway to open to the public, the underground plotting rooms. Restoration volunteers are also working on artillery pieces and associated equipment to form the Defence of Sydney Museum. This will replace the former RAA Museum that has been re-located to Victoria.
Whilst the Fort is open to the public every day, tours of the tunnels and restoration workshops are only accessible on guided tours that are conducted each Sunday. Special tours are conducted at other times by arrangement.
If you are interested in military history, unique coastal fauna and flora and enjoy interacting with local and overseas visitors, you may be interested in joining our group of guides, the majority of whom are former ADF members.
The criteria for the positions are:
- Reasonably fit and enjoy outdoor activities. Each tour is about 1 ½ hours and involves walking and climbing steep steps in the tunnels;
- Available at least one Sunday per month;
- Have good communication skills and be able to relate to all age groups from school children to seniors. You would also need to be able to relate to overseas visitors;
- Have an interest in military history, including artillery and be prepared to be tutored as a guide.
- Be prepared to sell tour tickets and publications, handle cash and credit cards and use a cash register after training.
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust will issue you with a uniform (shirt, hat & jacket) and administer you. Initially, you would need to study the guide notes and understudy an experienced guide. At an appropriate time, you would conduct a tour whilst being assessed and when at an appropriate standard, included on the guide roster.
Check out the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust website. |